Enjolrashastilyquittedtheurchinandmurmuredafewwordsinaverylowtonetoalongshoremanfromthewinedockswhochancedtobeathand。Themanlefttheroom，andreturnedalmostimmediately，accompaniedbythreeothers。Thefourmen，fourporterswithbroadshoulders，wentandplacedthemselveswithoutdoinganythingtoattracthisattention，behindthetableonwhichthemanoftheRuedesBilletteswasleaningwithhiselbows。
Theywereevidentlyreadytohurlthemselvesuponhim。
ThenEnjolrasapproachedthemananddemandedofhim:——
"Whoareyou？"
Atthisabruptquery，themanstarted。HeplungedhisgazedeepintoEnjolras’cleareyesandappearedtograspthelatter’smeaning。
Hesmiledwithasmilethanwhichnothingmoredisdainful，moreenergetic，andmoreresolutecouldbeseenintheworld，andrepliedwithhaughtygravity:——
"Iseewhatitis。Well，yes！"
"Youareapolicespy？"
"Iamanagentoftheauthorities。"
"Andyourname？"
"Javert。"
Enjolrasmadeasigntothefourmen。Inthetwinklingofaneye，beforeJaverthadtimetoturnround，hewascollared，throwndown，pinionedandsearched。
Theyfoundonhimalittleroundcardpastedbetweentwopiecesofglass，andbearingononesidethearmsofFrance，engraved，andwiththismotto:Supervisionandvigilance，andontheotherthisnote:
"JAVERT，inspectorofpolice，agedfifty—two，"andthesignatureofthePrefectofPoliceofthatday，M。Gisquet。
Besidesthis，hehadhiswatchandhispurse，whichcontainedseveralgoldpieces。Theylefthimhispurseandhiswatch。Underthewatch，atthebottomofhisfob，theyfeltandseizedapaperinanenvelope，whichEnjolrasunfolded，andonwhichhereadthesefivelines，writtenintheveryhandofthePrefectofPolice:——
"Assoonashispoliticalmissionisaccomplished，InspectorJavertwillmakesure，byspecialsupervision，whetheritistruethatthemalefactorshaveinstitutedintriguesontherightbankoftheSeine，neartheJenabridge。"
Thesearchended，theyliftedJaverttohisfeet，boundhisarmsbehindhisback，andfastenedhimtothatcelebratedpostinthemiddleoftheroomwhichhadformerlygiventhewine—shopitsname。
Gavroche，whohadlookedonatthewholeofthissceneandhadapprovedofeverythingwithasilenttossofhishead，steppeduptoJavertandsaidtohim:——
"It’sthemousewhohascaughtthecat。"
Allthiswassorapidlyexecuted，thatitwasalloverwhenthoseaboutthewine—shopnoticedit。
Javerthadnotutteredasinglecry。
AtthesightofJavertboundtothepost，Courfeyrac，Bossuet，Joly，Combeferre，andthemenscatteredoverthetwobarricadescamerunningup。
Javert，withhisbacktothepost，andsosurroundedwithropesthathecouldnotmakeamovement，raisedhisheadwiththeintrepidserenityofthemanwhohasneverlied。
"Heisapolicespy，"saidEnjolras。
AndturningtoJavert:"Youwillbeshottenminutesbeforethebarricadeistaken。"
Javertrepliedinhismostimperioustone:——
"Whynotatonce？"
"Wearesavingourpowder。"
"Thenfinishthebusinesswithablowfromaknife。"
"Spy，"saidthehandsomeEnjolras，"wearejudgesandnotassassins。"
ThenhecalledGavroche:——
"Hereyou！goaboutyourbusiness！DowhatItoldyou！"
"I’mgoing！"criedGavroche。
Andhaltingashewasonthepointofsettingout:——
"Bytheway，youwillgivemehisgun！"andheadded:"Ileaveyouthemusician，butIwanttheclarionet。"
Thegaminmadethemilitarysaluteandpassedgaylythroughtheopeninginthelargebarricade。
CHAPTERVIII
MANYINTERROGATIONPOINTSWITHREGARDTOACERTAINLECABUCWHOSE
NAMEMAYNOTHAVEBEENLECABUC
Thetragicpicturewhichwehaveundertakenwouldnotbecomplete，thereaderwouldnotseethosegrandmomentsofsocialbirth—pangsinarevolutionarybirth，whichcontainconvulsionmingledwitheffort，intheirexactandrealrelief，werewetoomit，inthesketchhereoutlined，anincidentfullofepicandsavagehorrorwhichoccurredalmostimmediatelyafterGavroche’sdeparture。
Mobs，asthereaderknows，arelikeasnowball，andcollectastheyrollalong，athrongoftumultuousmen。Thesemendonotaskeachotherwhencetheycome。Amongthepassers—bywhohadjoinedtherabbleledbyEnjolras，Combeferre，andCourfeyrac，therehadbeenapersonwearingthejacketofastreetporter，whichwasverythreadbareontheshoulders，whogesticulatedandvociferated，andwhohadthelookofadrunkensavage。Thisman，whosenameornicknamewasLeCabuc，andwhowas，moreover，anutterstrangertothosewhopretendedtoknowhim，wasverydrunk，orassumedtheappearanceofbeingso，andhadseatedhimselfwithseveralothersatatablewhichtheyhaddraggedoutsideofthewine—shop。ThisCabuc，whilemakingthosewhoviedwithhimdrunkseemedtobeexaminingwithathoughtfulairthelargehouseattheextremityofthebarricade，whosefivestoriescommandedthewholestreetandfacedtheRueSaint—Denis。Allatonceheexclaimed:——
"Doyouknow，comrades，itisfromthathouseyonderthatwemustfire。
Whenweareatthewindows，thedeuceisinitifanyonecanadvanceintothestreet！"
"Yes，butthehouseisclosed，"saidoneofthedrinkers。
"Letusknock！"
"Theywillnotopen。"
"Letusbreakinthedoor！"
LeCabucrunstothedoor，whichhadaverymassiveknocker，andknocks。
Thedooropensnot。Hestrikesasecondblow。Nooneanswers。
Athirdstroke。Thesamesilence。
"Isthereanyonehere？"shoutsCabuc。
Nothingstirs。
Thenheseizesagunandbeginstobatterthedoorwiththebuttend。
Itwasanancientalleydoor，low，vaulted，narrow，solid，entirelyofoak，linedontheinsidewithasheetofironandironstays，agenuineprisonpostern。Theblowsfromthebuttendofthegunmadethehousetremble，butdidnotshakethedoor。
Nevertheless，itisprobablethattheinhabitantsweredisturbed，foratiny，squarewindowwasfinallyseentoopenonthethirdstory，andatthisapertureappearedthereverendandterrifiedfaceofagray—hairedoldman，whowastheporter，andwhoheldacandle。
Themanwhowasknockingpaused。
"Gentlemen，"saidtheporter，"whatdoyouwant？"
"Open！"saidCabuc。
"Thatcannotbe，gentlemen。"
"Open，nevertheless。"
"Impossible，gentlemen。"
LeCabuctookhisgunandaimedattheporter；butashewasbelow，andasitwasverydark，theporterdidnotseehim。
"Willyouopen，yesorno？"
"No，gentlemen。"
"Doyousayno？"
"Isayno，mygoo——"
Theporterdidnotfinish。Theshotwasfired；theballenteredunderhischinandcameoutatthenapeofhisneck，aftertraversingthejugularvein。
Theoldmanfellbackwithoutasigh。Thecandlefellandwasextinguished，andnothingmorewastobeseenexceptamotionlessheadlyingonthesillofthesmallwindow，andalittlewhitishsmokewhichfloatedofftowardstheroof。
"There！"saidLeCabuc，droppingthebuttendofhisguntothepavement。
Hehadhardlyutteredthisword，whenhefeltahandlaidonhisshoulderwiththeweightofaneagle’stalon，andheheardavoicesayingtohim:——
"Onyourknees。"
ThemurdererturnedroundandsawbeforehimEnjolras’cold，whiteface。
Enjolrasheldapistolinhishand。
Hehadhastenedupatthesoundofthedischarge。
HehadseizedCabuc’scollar，blouse，shirt，andsuspenderwithhislefthand。
"Onyourknees！"herepeated。
And，withanimperiousmotion，thefrailyoungmanoftwentyyearsbentthethicksetandsturdyporterlikeareed，andbroughthimtohiskneesinthemire。
LeCabucattemptedtoresist，butheseemedtohavebeenseizedbyasuperhumanhand。
Enjolras，pale，withbareneckanddishevelledhair，andhiswoman’sface，hadabouthimatthatmomentsomethingoftheantiqueThemis。
Hisdilatednostrils，hisdowncasteyes，gavetohisimplacableGreekprofilethatexpressionofwrathandthatexpressionofChastitywhich，astheancientworldviewedthematter，befitJustice。
Thewholebarricadehastenedup，thenallrangedthemselvesinacircleatadistance，feelingthatitwasimpossibletoutterawordinthepresenceofthethingwhichtheywereabouttobehold。
LeCabuc，vanquished，nolongertriedtostruggle，andtrembledineverylimb。
Enjolrasreleasedhimanddrewouthiswatch。
"Collectyourself，"saidhe。"Thinkorpray。Youhaveoneminute。"
"Mercy！"murmuredthemurderer；thenhedroppedhisheadandstammeredafewinarticulateoaths。
Enjolrasnevertookhiseyesoffofhim:heallowedaminutetopass，thenhereplacedhiswatchinhisfob。Thatdone，hegraspedLeCabucbythehair，asthelattercoiledhimselfintoaballathiskneesandshrieked，andplacedthemuzzleofthepistoltohisear。
Manyofthoseintrepidmen，whohadsotranquillyentereduponthemostterribleofadventures，turnedasidetheirheads。
Anexplosionwasheard，theassassinfelltothepavementfacedownwards。
Enjolrasstraightenedhimselfup，andcastaconvincedandsevereglancearoundhim。Thenhespurnedthecorpsewithhisfootandsaid:——
"Throwthatoutside。"
Threemenraisedthebodyoftheunhappywretch，whichwasstillagitatedbythelastmechanicalconvulsionsofthelifethathadfled，andflungitoverthelittlebarricadeintotheRueMondetour。
Enjolraswasthoughtful。Itisimpossibletosaywhatgrandioseshadowsslowlyspreadoverhisredoubtableserenity。Allatonceheraisedhisvoice。
Asilencefelluponthem。
"Citizens，"saidEnjolras，"whatthatmandidisfrightful，whatIhavedoneishorrible。Hekilled，thereforeIkilledhim。
Ihadtodoit，becauseinsurrectionmusthaveitsdiscipline。
Assassinationisevenmoreofacrimeherethanelsewhere；weareundertheeyesoftheRevolution，wearethepriestsoftheRepublic，wearethevictimsofduty，andmustnotbepossibletoslanderourcombat。
Ihave，therefore，triedthatman，andcondemnedhimtodeath。
Asformyself，constrainedasIamtodowhatIhavedone，andyetabhorringit，Ihavejudgedmyselfalso，andyoushallsoonseetowhatIhavecondemnedmyself。"
Thosewholistenedtohimshuddered。
"Wewillsharethyfate，"criedCombeferre。
"Sobeit，"repliedEnjolras。"Onewordmore。Inexecutingthisman，Ihaveobeyednecessity；butnecessityisamonsteroftheoldworld，necessity’snameisFatality。Now，thelawofprogressis，thatmonstersshalldisappearbeforetheangels，andthatFatalityshallvanishbeforeFraternity。Itisabadmomenttopronouncethewordlove。Nomatter，Idopronounceit。
AndIglorifyit。Love，thefutureisthine。Death，Imakeuseofthee，butIhatethee。Citizens，inthefuturetherewillbeneitherdarknessnorthunderbolts；neitherferociousignorance，norbloodyretaliation。AstherewillbenomoreSatan，therewillbenomoreMichael。Inthefuturenoonewillkillanyoneelse，theearthwillbeamwithradiance，thehumanracewilllove。
Thedaywillcome，citizens，whenallwillbeconcord，harmony，light，joyandlife；itwillcome，anditisinorderthatitmaycomethatweareabouttodie。"
Enjolrasceased。Hisvirginlipsclosed；andheremainedforsometimestandingonthespotwherehehadshedblood，inmarbleimmobility。
Hisstaringeyecausedthoseabouthimtospeakinlowtones。
JeanProuvaireandCombeferrepressedeachother’shandssilently，and，leaningagainsteachotherinanangleofthebarricade，theywatchedwithanadmirationinwhichtherewassomecompassion，thatgraveyoungman，executionerandpriest，composedoflight，likecrystal，andalsoofrock。
Letussayatoncethatlateron，aftertheaction，whenthebodiesweretakentothemorgueandsearched，apoliceagent’scardwasfoundonLeCabuc。Theauthorofthisbookhadinhishands，in1848，thespecialreportonthissubjectmadetothePrefectofPolicein1832。
Wewilladd，thatifwearetobelieveatraditionofthepolice，whichisstrangebutprobablywellfounded，LeCabucwasClaquesous。
Thefactis，thatdatingfromthedeathofLeCabuc，therewasnolongeranyquestionofClaquesous。Claquesoushadnowhereleftanytraceofhisdisappearance；hewouldseemtohaveamalgamatedhimselfwiththeinvisible。Hislifehadbeenallshadows，hisendwasnight。
Thewholeinsurgentgroupwasstillundertheinfluenceoftheemotionofthattragiccasewhichhadbeensoquicklytriedandsoquicklyterminated，whenCourfeyracagainbeheldonthebarricade，thesmallyoungmanwhohadinquiredofhimthatmorningforMarius。
Thislad，whohadaboldandrecklessair，hadcomebynighttojointheinsurgents。
BOOKTHIRTEENTH。——MARIUSENTERSTHESHADOW
CHAPTERI
FROMTHERUEPLUMETTOTHEQUARTIERSAINT—DENIS
ThevoicewhichhadsummonedMariusthroughthetwilighttothebarricadeoftheRuedelaChanvrerie，hadproducedonhimtheeffectofthevoiceofdestiny。Hewishedtodie；theopportunitypresenteditself；heknockedatthedoorofthetomb，ahandinthedarknessofferedhimthekey。Thesemelancholyopeningswhichtakeplaceinthegloombeforedespair，aretempting。
Mariusthrustasidethebarwhichhadsooftenallowedhimtopass，emergedfromthegarden，andsaid:"Iwillgo。"
Madwithgrief，nolongerconsciousofanythingfixedorsolidinhisbrain，incapableofacceptinganythingthenceforthoffateafterthosetwomonthspassedintheintoxicationofyouthandlove，overwhelmedatoncebyallthereveriesofdespair，hehadbutonedesireremaining，tomakeaspeedyendofall。
Hesetoutatrapidpace。Hefoundhimselfmostopportunelyarmed，ashehadJavert’spistolswithhim。
Theyoungmanofwhomhethoughtthathehadcaughtaglimpse，hadvanishedfromhissightinthestreet。
Marius，whohademergedfromtheRuePlumetbytheboulevard，traversedtheEsplanadeandthebridgeoftheInvalides，theChampsElysees，thePlaceLouisXV。，andreachedtheRuedeRivoli。
Theshopswereopenthere，thegaswasburningunderthearcades，womenweremakingtheirpurchasesinthestalls，peoplewereeatingicesintheCafeLaiter，andnibblingsmallcakesattheEnglishpastry—cook’sshop。Onlyafewposting—chaisesweresettingoutatagallopfromtheHoteldesPrincesandtheHotelMeurice。
MariusenteredtheRueSaint—HonorethroughthePassageDelorme。
Theretheshopswereclosed，themerchantswerechattinginfrontoftheirhalf—opendoors，peoplewerewalkingabout，thestreetlanternswerelighted，beginningwiththefirstfloor，allthewindowswerelightedasusual。TherewascavalryonthePlaceduPalais—Royal。
MariusfollowedtheRueSaint—Honore。InproportionasheleftthePalais—Royalbehindhim，therewerefewerlightedwindows，theshopswerefastshut，noonewaschattingonthethresholds，thestreetgrewsombre，and，atthesametime，thecrowdincreasedindensity。Forthepassers—bynowamountedtoacrowd。Noonecouldbeseentospeakinthisthrong，andyettherearosefromitadull，deepmurmur。
NearthefountainoftheArbre—Sec，therewere"assemblages"，motionlessandgloomygroupswhichweretothosewhowentandcameasstonesinthemidstofrunningwater。
AttheentrancetotheRuedesProuvaires，thecrowdnolongerwalked。
Itformedaresisting，massive，solid，compact，almostimpenetrableblockofpeoplewhowerehuddledtogether，andconversinginlowtones。Therewerehardlyanyblackcoatsorroundhatsnow，butsmockfrocks，blouses，caps，andbristlingandcadaverousheads。
Thismultitudeundulatedconfusedlyinthenocturnalgloom。
Itswhisperingshadthehoarseaccentofavibration。Althoughnotoneofthemwaswalking，adulltramplingwasaudibleinthemire。
Beyondthisdenseportionofthethrong，intheRueduRoule，intheRuedesProuvaires，andintheextensionoftheRueSaint—Honore，therewasnolongerasinglewindowinwhichacandlewasburning。
Onlythesolitaryanddiminishingrowsoflanternscouldbeseenvanishingintothestreetinthedistance。Thelanternsofthatdateresembledlargeredstars，hangingtoropes，andsheduponthepavementashadowwhichhadtheformofahugespider。
Thesestreetswerenotdeserted。Therecouldbedescriedpilesofguns，movingbayonets，andtroopsbivouacking。Nocuriousobserverpassedthatlimit。Therecirculationceased。Theretherabbleendedandthearmybegan。
Mariuswilledwiththewillofamanwhohopesnomore。Hehadbeensummoned，hemustgo。Hefoundameanstotraversethethrongandtopassthebivouacofthetroops，heshunnedthepatrols，heavoidedthesentinels。Hemadeacircuit，reachedtheRuedeBethisy，anddirectedhiscoursetowardstheHalles。AtthecorneroftheRuedesBourdonnais，therewerenolongeranylanterns。
Afterhavingpassedthezoneofthecrowd，hehadpassedthelimitsofthetroops；hefoundhimselfinsomethingstartling。Therewasnolongerapasser—by，nolongerasoldier，nolongeralight，therewasnoone；solitude，silence，night，Iknownotwhatchillwhichseizedholduponone。Enteringastreetwaslikeenteringacellar。
Hecontinuedtoadvance。
Hetookafewsteps。Someonepassedclosetohimatarun。Wasitaman？Orawoman？Weretheremanyofthem？hecouldnothavetold。
Ithadpassedandvanished。
Proceedingfromcircuittocircuit，hereachedalanewhichhejudgedtobetheRuedelaPoterie；nearthemiddleofthisstreet，hecameincontactwithanobstacle。Heextendedhishands。
Itwasanoverturnedwagon；hisfootrecognizedpoolsofwater，gullies，andpaving—stonesscatteredandpiledup。
Abarricadehadbeenbegunthereandabandoned。Heclimbedoverthestonesandfoundhimselfontheothersideofthebarrier。
Hewalkedverynearthestreet—posts，andguidedhimselfalongthewallsofthehouses。Alittlebeyondthebarricade，itseemedtohimthathecouldmakeoutsomethingwhiteinfrontofhim。
Heapproached，ittookonaform。Itwastwowhitehorses；
thehorsesoftheomnibusharnessedbyBossuetinthemorning，whohadbeenstrayingatrandomalldayfromstreettostreet，andhadfinallyhaltedthere，withthewearypatienceofbruteswhonomoreunderstandtheactionsofmen，thanmanunderstandstheactionsofProvidence。
Mariusleftthehorsesbehindhim。AshewasapproachingastreetwhichseemedtohimtobetheRueduContrat—Social，ashotcomingnooneknowswhence，andtraversingthedarknessatrandom，whistledclosebyhim，andthebulletpiercedabrassshaving—dishsuspendedabovehisheadoverahairdresser’sshop。
Thispiercedshaving—dishwasstilltobeseenin1848，intheRueduContrat—Social，atthecornerofthepillarsofthemarket。
Thisshotstillbetokenedlife。Fromthatinstantforthheencounterednothingmore。
Thewholeofthisitineraryresembledadescentofblacksteps。
Nevertheless，Mariuspressedforward。
CHAPTERII
ANOWL’SVIEWOFPARIS
AbeingwhocouldhavehoveredoverParisthatnightwiththewingofthebatortheowlwouldhavehadbeneathhiseyesagloomyspectacle。
AllthatoldquarteroftheHalles，whichislikeacitywithinacity，throughwhichruntheRuesSaint—DenisandSaint—Martin，whereathousandlanescross，andofwhichtheinsurgentshadmadetheirredoubtandtheirstronghold，wouldhaveappearedtohimlikeadarkandenormouscavityhollowedoutinthecentreofParis。
Theretheglancefellintoanabyss。Thankstothebrokenlanterns，thankstotheclosedwindows，thereallradiance，alllife，allsound，allmovementceased。Theinvisiblepoliceoftheinsurrectionwereonthewatcheverywhere，andmaintainedorder，thatistosay，night。Thenecessarytacticsofinsurrectionaretodrownsmallnumbersinavastobscurity，tomultiplyeverycombatantbythepossibilitieswhichthatobscuritycontains。
Atdusk，everywindowwhereacandlewasburningreceivedashot。
Thelightwasextinguished，sometimestheinhabitantwaskilled。
Hencenothingwasstirring。Therewasnothingbutfright，mourning，stuporinthehouses；andinthestreets，asortofsacredhorror。
Noteventhelongrowsofwindowsandstores，theindentationsofthechimneys，andtheroofs，andthevaguereflectionswhicharecastbackbythewetandmuddypavements，werevisible。
Aneyecastupwardatthatmassofshadowsmight，perhaps，havecaughtaglimpsehereandthere，atintervals，ofindistinctgleamswhichbroughtoutbrokenandeccentriclines，andprofilesofsingularbuildings，somethinglikethelightswhichgoandcomeinruins；itwasatsuchpointsthatthebarricadesweresituated。
Therestwasalakeofobscurity，foggy，heavy，andfunereal，abovewhich，inmotionlessandmelancholyoutlines，rosethetowerofSaint—Jacques，thechurchofSaint—Merry，andtwoorthreemoreofthosegrandedificesofwhichmanmakesgiantsandthenightmakesphantoms。
Allaroundthisdesertedanddisquietinglabyrinth，inthequarterswheretheParisiancirculationhadnotbeenannihilated，andwhereafewstreetlanternsstillburned，theaerialobservermighthavedistinguishedthemetallicgleamofswordsandbayonets，thedullrumbleofartillery，andtheswarmingofsilentbattalionswhoserankswereswellingfromminutetominute；aformidablegirdlewhichwasslowlydrawinginandaroundtheinsurrection。
Theinvestedquarterwasnolongeranythingmorethanamonstrouscavern；
everythingthereappearedtobeasleepormotionless，and，aswehavejustseen，anystreetwhichonemightcometoofferednothingbutdarkness。
Awilddarkness，fulloftraps，fullofunseenandformidableshocks，intowhichitwasalarmingtopenetrate，andinwhichitwasterribletoremain，wherethosewhoenteredshiveredbeforethosewhomtheyawaited，wherethosewhowaitedshudderedbeforethosewhowerecoming。
Invisiblecombatantswereentrenchedateverycornerofthestreet；
snaresofthesepulchreconcealedinthedensityofnight。
Allwasover。Nomorelightwastobehopedfor，henceforth，exceptthelightningofguns，nofurtherencounterexcepttheabruptandrapidapparitionofdeath。Where？How？When？Nooneknew，butitwascertainandinevitable。Inthisplacewhichhadbeenmarkedoutforthestruggle，theGovernmentandtheinsurrection，theNationalGuard，andpopularsocieties，thebourgeoisandtheuprising，gropingtheirway，wereabouttocomeintocontact。
Thenecessitywasthesameforboth。Theonlypossibleissuethenceforthwastoemergethencekilledorconquerors。Asituationsoextreme，anobscuritysopowerful，thatthemosttimidfeltthemselvesseizedwithresolution，andthemostdaringwithterror。
Moreover，onbothsides，thefury，therage，andthedeterminationwereequal。Fortheoneparty，toadvancemeantdeath，andnoonedreamedofretreating；fortheother，toremainmeantdeath，andnoonedreamedofflight。
Itwasindispensablethatallshouldbeendedonthefollowingday，thattriumphshouldresteitherhereorthere，thattheinsurrectionshouldproveitselfarevolutionoraskirmish。TheGovernmentunderstoodthisaswellastheparties；themostinsignificantbourgeoisfeltit。
Henceathoughtofanguishwhichmingledwiththeimpenetrablegloomofthisquarterwhereallwasatthepointofbeingdecided；
hencearedoubledanxietyaroundthatsilencewhenceacatastrophewasonthepointofemerging。Hereonlyonesoundwasaudible，asoundasheart—rendingasthedeathrattle，asmenacingasamalediction，thetocsinofSaint—Merry。Nothingcouldbemoreblood—curdlingthantheclamorofthatwildanddesperatebell，wailingamidtheshadows。
Asitoftenhappens，natureseemedtohavefallenintoaccordwithwhatmenwereabouttodo。Nothingdisturbedtheharmonyofthewholeeffect。Thestarshaddisappeared，heavycloudsfilledthehorizonwiththeirmelancholyfolds。Ablackskyrestedonthesedeadstreets，asthoughanimmensewinding—sheetwerebeingoutspreadoverthisimmensetomb。
Whileabattlethatwasstillwhollypoliticalwasinpreparationinthesamelocalitywhichhadalreadywitnessedsomanyrevolutionaryevents，whileyouth，thesecretassociations，theschools，inthenameofprinciples，andthemiddleclasses，inthenameofinterests，wereapproachingpreparatorytodashingthemselvestogether，claspingandthrowingeachother，whileeachonehastenedandinvitedthelastanddecisivehourofthecrisis，farawayandquiteoutsideofthisfatalquarter，inthemostprofounddepthsoftheunfathomablecavitiesofthatwretchedoldPariswhichdisappearsunderthesplendorofhappyandopulentParis，thesombrevoiceofthepeoplecouldbeheardgivingutterancetoadullroar。
AfearfulandsacredvoicewhichiscomposedoftheroarofthebruteandofthewordofGod，whichterrifiestheweakandwhichwarnsthewise，whichcomesbothfrombelowlikethevoiceofthelion，andfromonhighlikethevoiceofthethunder。
CHAPTERIII
THEEXTREMEEDGE
MariushadreachedtheHalles。
Thereeverythingwasstillcalmer，moreobscureandmoremotionlessthanintheneighboringstreets。Onewouldhavesaidthattheglacialpeaceofthesepulchrehadsprungforthfromtheearthandhadspreadovertheheavens。
Nevertheless，aredglowbroughtoutagainstthisblackbackgroundtheloftyroofsofthehouseswhichbarredtheRuedelaChanvrerieontheSaint—Eustacheside。ItwasthereflectionofthetorchwhichwasburningintheCorinthebarricade。Mariusdirectedhisstepstowardsthatredlight。IthaddrawnhimtotheMarche—aux—Poirees，andhecaughtaglimpseofthedarkmouthoftheRuedesPrecheurs。
Heenteredit。Theinsurgents’sentinel，whowasguardingtheotherend，didnotseehim。Hefeltthathewasveryclosetothatwhichhehadcomeinsearchof，andhewalkedontiptoe。
InthismannerhereachedtheelbowofthatshortsectionoftheRueMondetourwhichwas，asthereaderwillremember，theonlycommunicationwhichEnjolrashadpreservedwiththeoutsideworld。
Atthecornerofthelasthouse，onhisleft，hethrusthisheadforward，andlookedintothefragmentoftheRueMondetour。
AlittlebeyondtheangleofthelaneandtheRuedelaChanvreriewhichcastabroadcurtainofshadow，inwhichhewashimselfengulfed，heperceivedsomelightonthepavement，abitofthewine—shop，andbeyond，aflickeringlampwithinasortofshapelesswall，andmencrouchingdownwithgunsontheirknees。Allthiswastenfathomsdistantfromhim。Itwastheinteriorofthebarricade。
Thehouseswhichborderedthelaneontherightconcealedtherestofthewine—shop，thelargebarricade，andtheflagfromhim。
Mariushadbutastepmoretotake。
Thentheunhappyyoungmanseatedhimselfonapost，foldedhisarms，andfelltothinkingabouthisfather。
HethoughtofthatheroicColonelPontmercy，whohadbeensoproudasoldier，whohadguardedthefrontierofFranceundertheRepublic，andhadtouchedthefrontierofAsiaunderNapoleon，whohadbeheldGenoa，Alexandria，Milan，Turin，Madrid，Vienna，Dresden，Berlin，Moscow，whohadleftonallthevictoriousbattle—fieldsofEuropedropsofthatsameblood，whichhe，Marius，hadinhisveins，whohadgrowngraybeforehistimeindisciplineandcommand，whohadlivedwithhissword—beltbuckled，hisepauletsfallingonhisbreast，hiscockadeblackenedwithpowder，hisbrowfurrowedwithhishelmet，inbarracks，incamp，inthebivouac，inambulances，andwho，attheexpirationoftwentyyears，hadreturnedfromthegreatwarswithascarredcheek，asmilingcountenance，tranquil，admirable，pureasachild，havingdoneeverythingforFranceandnothingagainsther。
Hesaidtohimselfthathisdayhadalsocomenow，thathishourhadstruck，thatfollowinghisfather，hetoowasabouttoshowhimselfbrave，intrepid，bold，toruntomeetthebullets，toofferhisbreasttobayonets，toshedhisblood，toseektheenemy，toseekdeath，thathewasabouttowagewarinhisturnanddescendtothefieldofbattle，andthatthefieldofbattleuponwhichhewastodescendwasthestreet，andthatthewarinwhichhewasabouttoengagewascivilwar！
Hebeheldcivilwarlaidopenlikeagulfbeforehim，andintothishewasabouttofall。Thenheshuddered。
Hethoughtofhisfather’ssword，whichhisgrandfatherhadsoldtoasecond—handdealer，andwhichhehadsomournfullyregretted。
Hesaidtohimselfthatthatchasteandvaliantswordhaddonewelltoescapefromhim，andtodepartinwrathintothegloom；
thatifithadthusfled，itwasbecauseitwasintelligentandbecauseithadforeseenthefuture；thatithadhadapresentimentofthisrebellion，thewarofthegutters，thewarofthepavements，fusilladesthroughcellar—windows，blowsgivenandreceivedintherear；
itwasbecause，comingfromMarengoandFriedland，itdidnotwishtogototheRuedelaChanvrerie；itwasbecause，afterwhatithaddonewiththefather，itdidnotwishtodothisfortheson！
Hetoldhimselfthatifthatswordwerethere，ifaftertakingpossessionofitathisfather’spillow，hehaddaredtotakeitandcarryitoffforthiscombatofdarknessbetweenFrenchmeninthestreets，itwouldassuredlyhavescorchedhishandsandburstoutaflamebeforehiseyes，liketheswordoftheangel！
Hetoldhimselfthatitwasfortunatethatitwasnotthereandthatithaddisappeared，thatthatwaswell，thatthatwasjust，thathisgrandfatherhadbeenthetrueguardianofhisfather’sglory，andthatitwasfarbetterthatthecolonel’sswordshouldbesoldatauction，soldtotheold—clothesman，thrownamongtheoldjunk，thanthatitshould，to—day，woundthesideofhiscountry。
Andthenhefelltoweepingbitterly。
Thiswashorrible。Butwhatwashetodo？LivewithoutCosettehecouldnot。Sinceshewasgone，hemustneedsdie。Hadhenotgivenherhiswordofhonorthathewoulddie？Shehadgoneknowingthat；
thismeantthatitpleasedherthatMariusshoulddie。Andthen，itwasclearthatshenolongerlovedhim，sinceshehaddepartedthuswithoutwarning，withoutaword，withoutaletter，althoughsheknewhisaddress！Whatwasthegoodofliving，andwhyshouldhelivenow？
Andthen，what！shouldheretreataftergoingsofar？shouldhefleefromdangerafterhavingapproachedit？shouldheslipawayafterhavingcomeandpeepedintothebarricade？slipaway，allinatremble，saying:"Afterall，Ihavehadenoughofitasitis。
Ihaveseenit，thatsuffices，thisiscivilwar，andIshalltakemyleave！"Shouldheabandonhisfriendswhowereexpectinghim？
Whowereinneedofhimpossibly！whowereamerehandfulagainstanarmy！Shouldhebeuntrueatoncetohislove，tocountry，tohisword？Shouldhegivetohiscowardicethepretextofpatriotism？
Butthiswasimpossible，andifthephantomofhisfatherwasthereinthegloom，andbeheldhimretreating，hewouldbeathimontheloinswiththeflatofhissword，andshouttohim:"Marchon，youpoltroon！"
Thusapreytotheconflictingmovementsofhisthoughts，hedroppedhishead。
Allatonceheraisedit。Asortofsplendidrectificationhadjustbeeneffectedinhismind。Thereisawideningofthesphereofthoughtwhichispeculiartothevicinityofthegrave；
itmakesoneseeclearlytobeneardeath。Thevisionoftheactionintowhichhefeltthathewas，perhaps，onthepointofentering，appearedtohimnomoreaslamentable，butassuperb。Thewarofthestreetwassuddenlytransfiguredbysomeunfathomableinwardworkingofhissoul，beforetheeyeofhisthought。
Allthetumultuousinterrogationpointsofreveryrecurredtohiminthrongs，butwithouttroublinghim。Heleftnoneofthemunanswered。
Letussee，whyshouldhisfatherbeindignant？Aretherenotcaseswhereinsurrectionrisestothedignityofduty？
WhatwastherethatwasdegradingforthesonofColonelPontmercyinthecombatwhichwasabouttobegin？ItisnolongerMontmirailnorChampaubert；itissomethingquitedifferent。Thequestionisnolongeroneofsacredterritory，——butofaholyidea。
Thecountrywails，thatmaybe，buthumanityapplauds。Butisittruethatthecountrydoeswail？Francebleeds，butlibertysmiles；
andinthepresenceofliberty’ssmile，Franceforgetsherwound。
Andthenifwelookatthingsfromastillmoreloftypointofview，whydowespeakofcivilwar？
Civilwar——whatdoesthatmean？Isthereaforeignwar？
Isnotallwarbetweenmenwarbetweenbrothers？Warisqualifiedonlybyitsobject。Thereisnosuchthingasforeignorcivilwar；
thereisonlyjustandunjustwar。Untilthatdaywhenthegrandhumanagreementisconcluded，war，thatatleastwhichistheeffortofthefuture，whichishasteningonagainstthepast，whichislaggingintherear，maybenecessary。Whathavewetoreproachthatwarwith？Wardoesnotbecomeadisgrace，thesworddoesnotbecomeadisgrace，exceptwhenitisusedforassassinatingtheright，progress，reason，civilization，truth。Thenwar，whetherforeignorcivil，isiniquitous；itiscalledcrime。
Outsidethepaleofthatholything，justice，bywhatrightdoesoneformofmandespiseanother？BywhatrightshouldtheswordofWashingtondisownthepikeofCamilleDesmoulins？Leonidasagainstthestranger，Timoleonagainstthetyrant，whichisthegreater？
theoneisthedefender，theothertheliberator。Shallwebrandeveryappealtoarmswithinacity’slimitswithouttakingtheobjectintoaconsideration？ThennotetheinfamyofBrutus，Marcel，ArnouldvonBlankenheim，Coligny，Hedgerowwar？Warofthestreets？
Whynot？ThatwasthewarofAmbiorix，ofArtevelde，ofMarnix，ofPelagius。ButAmbiorixfoughtagainstRome，ArteveldeagainstFrance，MarnixagainstSpain，PelagiusagainsttheMoors；allagainsttheforeigner。Well，themonarchyisaforeigner；oppressionisastranger；therightdivineisastranger。Despotismviolatesthemoralfrontier，aninvasionviolatesthegeographicalfrontier。
DrivingoutthetyrantordrivingouttheEnglish，inbothcases，regainingpossessionofone’sownterritory。Therecomesanhourwhenprotestationnolongersuffices；afterphilosophy，actionisrequired；
liveforcefinisheswhattheideahassketchedout；Prometheuschainedbegins，Arostogeitonends；theencyclopediaenlightenssouls，the10thofAugustelectrifiesthem。AfterAEschylus，Thrasybulus；
afterDiderot，Danton。Multitudeshaveatendencytoacceptthemaster。
Theirmassbearswitnesstoapathy。Acrowdiseasilyledasawholetoobedience。Menmustbestirredup，pushedon，treatedroughlybytheverybenefitoftheirdeliverance，theireyesmustbewoundedbythetrue，lightmustbehurledattheminterriblehandfuls。
Theymustbealittlethunderstruckthemselvesattheirownwell—being；
thisdazzlingawakensthem。Hencethenecessityoftocsinsandwars。
Greatcombatantsmustrise，mustenlightennationswithaudacity，andshakeupthatsadhumanitywhichiscoveredwithgloombytherightdivine，Caesarianglory，force，fanaticism，irresponsiblepower，andabsolutemajesty；arabblestupidlyoccupiedinthecontemplation，intheirtwilightsplendor，ofthesesombretriumphsofthenight。
Downwiththetyrant！Ofwhomareyouspeaking？DoyoucallLouisPhilippethetyrant？No；nomorethanLouisXVI。
Bothofthemarewhathistoryisinthehabitofcallinggoodkings；
butprinciplesarenottobeparcelledout，thelogicofthetrueisrectilinear，thepeculiarityoftruthisthatitlackscomplaisance；
noconcessions，then；allencroachmentsonmanshouldberepressed。
ThereisadivinerightinLouisXVI。，thereisbecauseaBourboninLouisPhilippe；bothrepresentinacertainmeasuretheconfiscationofright，and，inordertoclearawayuniversalinsurrection，theymustbecombated；itmustbedone，Francebeingalwaystheonetobegin。
WhenthemasterfallsinFrance，hefallseverywhere。Inshort，whatcauseismorejust，andconsequently，whatwarisgreater，thanthatwhichre—establishessocialtruth，restoresherthronetoliberty，restoresthepeopletothepeople，restoressovereigntytoman，replacesthepurpleontheheadofFrance，restoresequityandreasonintheirplenitude，suppresseseverygermofantagonismbyrestoringeachonetohimself，annihilatestheobstaclewhichroyaltypresentstothewholeimmenseuniversalconcord，andplacesthehumanraceoncemoreonalevelwiththeright？Thesewarsbuilduppeace。
Anenormousfortressofprejudices，privileges，superstitions，lies，exactions，abuses，violences，iniquities，anddarknessstillstandserectinthisworld，withitstowersofhatred。
Itmustbecastdown。Thismonstrousmassmustbemadetocrumble。
ToconqueratAusterlitzisgrand；totaketheBastilleisimmense。
Thereisnoonewhohasnotnoticeditinhisowncase——thesoul，——
andthereinliesthemarvelofitsunitycomplicatedwithubiquity，hasastrangeaptitudeforreasoningalmostcoldlyinthemostviolentextremities，anditoftenhappensthatheartbrokenpassionandprofounddespairintheveryagonyoftheirblackestmonologues，treatsubjectsanddiscusstheses。Logicismingledwithconvulsion，andthethreadofthesyllogismfloats，withoutbreaking，inthemournfulstormofthought。ThiswasthesituationofMarius’mind。
Ashemeditatedthus，dejectedbutresolute，hesitatingineverydirection，and，inshort，shudderingatwhathewasabouttodo，hisglancestrayedtotheinteriorofthebarricade。
Theinsurgentswerehereconversinginalowvoice，withoutmoving，andtherewasperceptiblethatquasi—silencewhichmarksthelaststageofexpectation。Overhead，atthesmallwindowinthethirdstoryMariusdescriedasortofspectatorwhoappearedtohimtobesingularlyattentive。ThiswastheporterwhohadbeenkilledbyLeCabuc。Below，bythelightsofthetorch，whichwasthrustbetweenthepaving—stones，thisheadcouldbevaguelydistinguished。
Nothingcouldbestranger，inthatsombreanduncertaingleam，thanthatlivid，motionless，astonishedface，withitsbristlinghair，itseyesfixedandstaring，anditsyawningmouth，bentoverthestreetinanattitudeofcuriosity。Onewouldhavesaidthatthemanwhowasdeadwassurveyingthosewhowereabouttodie。
Alongtrailofbloodwhichhadflowedfromthathead，descendedinreddishthreadsfromthewindowtotheheightofthefirstfloor，whereitstopped。
BOOKFOURTEENTH。——THEGRANDEURSOFDESPAIR
CHAPTERI
THEFLAG:ACTFIRST
Asyet，nothinghadcome。Teno’clockhadsoundedfromSaint—Merry。
EnjolrasandCombeferrehadgoneandseatedthemselves，carbinesinhand，neartheoutletofthegrandbarricade。
Theynolongeraddressedeachother，theylistened，seekingtocatcheventhefaintestandmostdistantsoundofmarching。
Suddenly，inthemidstofthedismalcalm，aclear，gay，youngvoice，whichseemedtocomefromtheRueSaint—Denis，roseandbegantosingdistinctly，totheoldpopularairof"BytheLightoftheMoon，"
thisbitofpoetry，terminatedbyacrylikethecrowofacock:——
Monnezestenlarmes，MonamiBugeaud，PretemoitesgendarmesPourleurdireunmot。
Encapotebleue，Lapouleaushako，Voicilabanlieue！
Co—cocorico！[54]
[54]Mynoseisintears，myfriendBugeaud，lendmethygendarmesthatImaysayawordtothem。Withabluecapoteandachickeninhisshako，here’sthebanlieue，co—cocorico。
Theypressedeachother’shands。
"ThatisGavroche，"saidEnjolras。
"Heiswarningus，"saidCombeferre。
Ahastyrushtroubledthedesertedstreet；theybeheldabeingmoreagilethanaclownclimbovertheomnibus，andGavrocheboundedintothebarricade，allbreathless，saying:——
"Mygun！Heretheyare！"
Anelectricquivershotthroughthewholebarricade，andthesoundofhandsseekingtheirgunsbecameaudible。
"Wouldyoulikemycarbine？"saidEnjolrastothelad。
"Iwantabiggun，"repliedGavroche。
AndheseizedJavert’sgun。
Twosentinelshadfallenback，andhadcomeinalmostatthesamemomentasGavroche。Theywerethesentinelsfromtheendofthestreet，andthevidetteoftheRuedelaPetite—Truanderie。
ThevidetteoftheLanedesPrecheurshadremainedathispost，whichindicatedthatnothingwasapproachingfromthedirectionofthebridgesandHalles。
TheRuedelaChanvrerie，ofwhichafewpaving—stonesaloneweredimlyvisibleinthereflectionofthelightprojectedontheflag，offeredtotheinsurgentstheaspectofavastblackdoorvaguelyopenedintoasmoke。
Eachmanhadtakenuphispositionfortheconflict。
Forty—threeinsurgents，amongwhomwereEnjolras，Combeferre，Courfeyrac，Bossuet，Joly，Bahorel，andGavroche，werekneelinginsidethelargebarricade，withtheirheadsonalevelwiththecrestofthebarrier，thebarrelsoftheirgunsandcarbinesaimedonthestonesasthoughatloop—holes，attentive，mute，readytofire。Six，commandedbyFeuilly，hadinstalledthemselves，withtheirgunslevelledattheirshoulders，atthewindowsofthetwostoriesofCorinthe。
Severalminutespassedthus，thenasoundoffootsteps，measured，heavy，andnumerous，becamedistinctlyaudibleinthedirectionofSaint—Leu。Thissound，faintatfirst，thenprecise，thenheavyandsonorous，approachedslowly，withouthalt，withoutintermission，withatranquilandterriblecontinuity。
Nothingwastobeheardbutthis。Itwasthatcombinedsilenceandsound，ofthestatueofthecommander，butthisstonystephadsomethingindescribablyenormousandmultipleaboutitwhichawakenedtheideaofathrong，and，atthesametime，theideaofaspectre。
OnethoughtoneheardtheterriblestatueLegionmarchingonward。
Thistreaddrewnear；itdrewstillnearer，andstopped。Itseemedasthoughthebreathingofmanymencouldbeheardattheendofthestreet。Nothingwastobeseen，however，butatthebottomofthatdenseobscuritytherecouldbedistinguishedamultitudeofmetallicthreads，asfineasneedlesandalmostimperceptible，whichmovedaboutlikethoseindescribablephosphoricnetworkswhichoneseesbeneathone’sclosedeyelids，inthefirstmistsofslumberatthemomentwhenoneisdroppingofftosleep。Thesewerebayonetsandgun—barrelsconfusedlyilluminatedbythedistantreflectionofthetorch。
Apauseensued，asthoughbothsideswerewaiting。Allatonce，fromthedepthsofthisdarkness，avoice，whichwasallthemoresinister，sincenoonewasvisible，andwhichappearedtobethegloomitselfspeaking，shouted:——
"Whogoesthere？"
Atthesametime，theclickofguns，astheywereloweredintoposition，washeard。
Enjolrasrepliedinahaughtyandvibratingtone:——
"TheFrenchRevolution！"
"Fire！"shoutedthevoice。
Aflashempurpledallthefacadesinthestreetasthoughthedoorofafurnacehadbeenflungopen，andhastilyclosedagain。
Afearfuldetonationburstforthonthebarricade。Theredflagfell。
Thedischargehadbeensoviolentandsodensethatithadcutthestaff，thatistosay，theverytipoftheomnibuspole。
Bulletswhichhadreboundedfromthecornicesofthehousespenetratedthebarricadeandwoundedseveralmen。
Theimpressionproducedbythisfirstdischargewasfreezing。
Theattackhadbeenrough，andofanaturetoinspirereflectionintheboldest。Itwasevidentthattheyhadtodealwithanentireregimentattheveryleast。
"Comrades！"shoutedCourfeyrac，"letusnotwasteourpowder。
Letuswaituntiltheyareinthestreetbeforereplying。"
"And，aboveall，"saidEnjolras，"letusraisetheflagagain。"
Hepickeduptheflag，whichhadfallenpreciselyathisfeet。
Outside，theclatteroftheramrodsinthegunscouldbeheard；
thetroopswerere—loadingtheirarms。
Enjolraswenton:——
"Whoisthereherewithaboldheart？Whowillplanttheflagonthebarricadeagain？"
Notamanresponded。Tomountonthebarricadeattheverymomentwhen，withoutanydoubt，itwasagaintheobjectoftheiraim，wassimplydeath。Thebravesthesitatedtopronouncehisowncondemnation。Enjolrashimselffeltathrill。Herepeated:——
"Doesnoonevolunteer？"
CHAPTERII
THEFLAG:ACTSECOND
SincetheyhadarrivedatCorinthe，andhadbeguntheconstructionofthebarricade，noattentionhadbeenpaidtoFatherMabeuf。
M。Mabeufhadnotquittedthemob，however；hehadenteredtheground—floorofthewine—shopandhadseatedhimselfbehindthecounter。Therehehad，sotospeak，retreatedintohimself。
Henolongerseemedtolookortothink。Courfeyracandothershadaccostedhimtwoorthreetimes，warninghimofhisperil，beseechinghimtowithdraw，buthedidnothearthem。Whentheywerenotspeakingtohim，hismouthmovedasthoughhewerereplyingtosomeone，andassoonashewasaddressed，hislipsbecamemotionlessandhiseyesnolongerhadtheappearanceofbeingalive。
Severalhoursbeforethebarricadewasattacked，hehadassumedanattitudewhichhedidnotafterwardsabandon，withbothfistsplantedonhiskneesandhisheadthrustforwardasthoughheweregazingoveraprecipice。Nothinghadbeenabletomovehimfromthisattitude；
itdidnotseemasthoughhismindwereinthebarricade。
Wheneachhadgonetotakeuphispositionforthecombat，thereremainedinthetap—roomwhereJavertwasboundtothepost，onlyasingleinsurgentwithanakedsword，watchingoverJavert，andhimself，Mabeuf。Atthemomentoftheattack，atthedetonation，thephysicalshockhadreachedhimandhad，asitwere，awakenedhim；
hestartedupabruptly，crossedtheroom，andattheinstantwhenEnjolrasrepeatedhisappeal:"Doesnoonevolunteer？"theoldmanwasseentomakehisappearanceonthethresholdofthewine—shop。
Hispresenceproducedasortofcommotioninthedifferentgroups。
Ashoutwentup:——
"Itisthevoter！ItisthememberoftheConvention！
Itistherepresentativeofthepeople！"
Itisprobablethathedidnothearthem。
HestrodestraightuptoEnjolras，theinsurgentswithdrawingbeforehimwithareligiousfear；hetoretheflagfromEnjolras，whorecoiledinamazementandthen，sincenoonedaredtostoportoassisthim，thisoldmanofeighty，withshakingheadbutfirmfoot，beganslowlytoascendthestaircaseofpaving—stonesarrangedinthebarricade。Thiswassomelancholyandsograndthatallaroundhimcried:"Offwithyourhats！"Ateverystepthathemounted，itwasafrightfulspectacle；hiswhitelocks，hisdecrepitface，hislofty，bald，andwrinkledbrow，hisamazedandopenmouth，hisagedarmupholdingtheredbanner，rosethroughthegloomandwereenlargedinthebloodylightofthetorch，andthebystandersthoughtthattheybeheldthespectreof’93emergingfromtheearth，withtheflagofterrorinhishand。
Whenhehadreachedthelaststep，whenthistremblingandterriblephantom，erectonthatpileofrubbishinthepresenceoftwelvehundredinvisibleguns，drewhimselfupinthefaceofdeathandasthoughheweremorepowerfulthanit，thewholebarricadeassumedamidthedarkness，asupernaturalandcolossalform。
Thereensuedoneofthosesilenceswhichoccuronlyinthepresenceofprodigies。Inthemidstofthissilence，theoldmanwavedtheredflagandshouted:——
"LonglivetheRevolution！LonglivetheRepublic！Fraternity！
Equality！andDeath！"
Thoseinthebarricadeheardalowandrapidwhisper，likethemurmurofapriestwhoisdespatchingaprayerinhaste。
Itwasprobablythecommissaryofpolicewhowasmakingthelegalsummonsattheotherendofthestreet。
Thenthesamepiercingvoicewhichhadshouted:"Whogoesthere？"
shouted:——
"Retire！"
M。Mabeuf，pale，haggard，hiseyeslightedupwiththemournfulflameofaberration，raisedtheflagabovehisheadandrepeated:——
"LonglivetheRepublic！"
"Fire！"saidthevoice。
Aseconddischarge，similartothefirst，raineddownuponthebarricade。
Theoldmanfellonhisknees，thenroseagain，droppedtheflagandfellbackwardsonthepavement，likealog，atfulllength，withoutstretchedarms。
Rivuletsofbloodflowedbeneathhim。Hisagedhead，paleandsad，seemedtobegazingatthesky。
Oneofthoseemotionswhicharesuperiortoman，whichmakehimforgeteventodefendhimself，seizedupontheinsurgents，andtheyapproachedthebodywithrespectfulawe。
"Whatmentheseregicideswere！"saidEnjolras。
CourfeyracbentdowntoEnjolras’ear:——
"Thisisforyourselfalone，Idonotwishtodampentheenthusiasm。
Butthismanwasanythingratherthanaregicide。Iknewhim。
HisnamewasFatherMabeuf。Idonotknowwhatwasthematterwithhimto—day。Buthewasabraveblockhead。Justlookathishead。"
"TheheadofablockheadandtheheartofaBrutus，"repliedEnjolras。
Thenheraisedhisvoice:——
"Citizens！Thisistheexamplewhichtheoldgivetotheyoung。
Wehesitated，hecame！Weweredrawingback，headvanced！Thisiswhatthosewhoaretremblingwithageteachtothosewhotremblewithfear！Thisagedmanisaugustintheeyesofhiscountry。
Hehashadalonglifeandamagnificentdeath！Now，letusplacethebodyundercover，thateachoneofusmaydefendthisoldmandeadashewouldhisfatherliving，andmayhispresenceinourmidstrenderthebarricadeimpregnable！"
Amurmurofgloomyandenergeticassentfollowedthesewords。
Enjolrasbentdown，raisedtheoldman’shead，andfierceashewas，hekissedhimonthebrow，then，throwingwidehisarms，andhandlingthisdeadmanwithtenderprecaution，asthoughhefearedtohurtit，heremovedhiscoat，showedthebloodyholesinittoall，andsaid:——
"Thisisourflagnow。"
CHAPTERIII
GAVROCHEWOULDHAVEDONEBETTERTOACCEPTENJOLRAS’CARBINE
TheythrewalongblackshawlofWidowHucheloup’soverFatherMabeuf。
Sixmenmadealitteroftheirguns；onthistheylaidthebody，andboreit，withbaredheads，withsolemnslowness，tothelargetableinthetap—room。
Thesemen，whollyabsorbedinthegraveandsacredtaskinwhichtheywereengaged，thoughtnomoreoftheperiloussituationinwhichtheystood。
WhenthecorpsepassednearJavert，whowasstillimpassive，Enjolrassaidtothespy:——
"Itwillbeyourturnpresently！"
Duringallthistime，LittleGavroche，whoalonehadnotquittedhispost，buthadremainedonguard，thoughtheespiedsomemenstealthilyapproachingthebarricade。Allatonceheshouted:——
"Lookout！"
Courfeyrac，Enjolras，JeanProuvaire，Combeferre，Joly，Bahorel，Bossuet，andalltherestrantumultuouslyfromthewine—shop。Itwasalmosttoolate。Theysawaglisteningdensityofbayonetsundulatingabovethebarricade。Municipalguardsofloftystatureweremakingtheirwayin，somestridingovertheomnibus，othersthroughthecut，thrustingbeforethemtheurchin，whoretreated，butdidnotflee。
Themomentwascritical。Itwasthatfirst，redoubtablemomentofinundation，whenthestreamrisestotheleveloftheleveeandwhenthewaterbeginstofilterthroughthefissuresofdike。
Asecondmoreandthebarricadewouldhavebeentaken。
Bahoreldasheduponthefirstmunicipalguardwhowasentering，andkilledhimonthespotwithablowfromhisgun；thesecondkilledBahorelwithablowfromhisbayonet。AnotherhadalreadyoverthrownCourfeyrac，whowasshouting:"Followme！"Thelargestofall，asortofcolossus，marchedonGavrochewithhisbayonetfixed。
TheurchintookinhisarmsJavert’simmensegun，levelleditresolutelyatthegiant，andfired。Nodischargefollowed。
Javert’sgunwasnotloaded。Themunicipalguardburstintoalaughandraisedhisbayonetatthechild。
BeforethebayonethadtouchedGavroche，thegunslippedfromthesoldier’sgrasp，abullethadstruckthemunicipalguardsmaninthecentreoftheforehead，andhefelloveronhisback。
Asecondbulletstrucktheotherguard，whohadassaultedCourfeyracinthebreast，andlaidhimlowonthepavement。
ThiswastheworkofMarius，whohadjustenteredthebarricade。
CHAPTERIV
THEBARRELOFPOWDER
Marius，stillconcealedintheturnoftheRueMondetour，hadwitnessed，shudderingandirresolute，thefirstphaseofthecombat。Buthehadnotlongbeenabletoresistthatmysteriousandsovereignvertigowhichmaybedesignatedasthecalloftheabyss。Inthepresenceoftheimminenceoftheperil，inthepresenceofthedeathofM。Mabeuf，thatmelancholyenigma，inthepresenceofBahorelkilled，andCourfeyracshouting:"Followme！"ofthatchildthreatened，ofhisfriendstosuccorortoavenge，allhesitationhadvanished，andhehadflunghimselfintotheconflict，histwopistolsinhand。
WithhisfirstshothehadsavedGavroche，andwiththeseconddeliveredCourfeyrac。
Amidthesoundoftheshots，amidthecriesoftheassaultedguards，theassailantshadclimbedtheentrenchment，onwhosesummitMunicipalGuards，soldiersofthelineandNationalGuardsfromthesuburbscouldnowbeseen，guninhand，rearingthemselvestomorethanhalftheheightoftheirbodies。
Theyalreadycoveredmorethantwo—thirdsofthebarrier，buttheydidnotleapintotheenclosure，asthoughwaveringinthefearofsometrap。Theygazedintothedarkbarricadeasonewouldgazeintoalion’sden。Thelightofthetorchilluminatedonlytheirbayonets，theirbear—skincaps，andtheupperpartoftheiruneasyandangryfaces。
Mariushadnolongeranyweapons；hehadflungawayhisdischargedpistolsafterfiringthem；buthehadcaughtsightofthebarrelofpowderinthetap—room，nearthedoor。
Asheturnedhalfround，gazinginthatdirection，asoldiertookaimathim。AtthemomentwhenthesoldierwassightingMarius，ahandwaslaidonthemuzzleofthegunandobstructedit。
Thiswasdonebysomeonewhohaddartedforward，——theyoungworkmaninvelvettrousers。Theshotsped，traversedthehandandpossibly，also，theworkman，sincehefell，buttheballdidnotstrikeMarius。
Allthis，whichwasrathertobeapprehendedthanseenthroughthesmoke，Marius，whowasenteringthetap—room，hardlynoticed。
Still，hehad，inaconfusedway，perceivedthatgun—barrelaimedathim，andthehandwhichhadblockedit，andhehadheardthedischarge。
Butinmomentslikethis，thethingswhichoneseesvacillateandareprecipitated，andonepausesfornothing。Onefeelsobscurelyimpelledtowardsmoredarknessstill，andalliscloud。
Theinsurgents，surprisedbutnotterrified，hadrallied。
Enjolrashadshouted:"Wait！Don’tfireatrandom！"
Inthefirstconfusion，theymight，infact，woundeachother。
Themajorityofthemhadascendedtothewindowonthefirststoryandtotheatticwindows，whencetheycommandedtheassailants。
Themostdetermined，withEnjolras，Courfeyrac，JeanProuvaire，andCombeferre，hadproudlyplacedthemselveswiththeirbacksagainstthehousesattherear，unshelteredandfacingtheranksofsoldiersandguardswhocrownedthebarricade。
Allthiswasaccomplishedwithouthaste，withthatstrangeandthreateninggravitywhichprecedesengagements。Theytookaim，pointblank，onbothsides:theyweresoclosethattheycouldtalktogetherwithoutraisingtheirvoices。
Whentheyhadreachedthispointwherethesparkisonthebrinkofdartingforth，anofficerinagorgetextendedhisswordandsaid:——
"Laydownyourarms！"
"Fire！"repliedEnjolras。
Thetwodischargestookplaceatthesamemoment，andalldisappearedinsmoke。
Anacridandstiflingsmokeinwhichdyingandwoundedlaywithweak，dullgroans。Whenthesmokeclearedaway，thecombatantsonbothsidescouldbeseentobethinnedout，butstillinthesamepositions，reloadinginsilence。Allatonce，athunderingvoicewasheard，shouting:——
"Beoffwithyou，orI’llblowupthebarricade！"
Allturnedinthedirectionwhencethevoiceproceeded。
Mariushadenteredthetap—room，andhadseizedthebarrelofpowder，thenhehadtakenadvantageofthesmoke，andthesortofobscuremistwhichfilledtheentrenchedenclosure，toglidealongthebarricadeasfarasthatcageofpaving—stoneswherethetorchwasfixed。
Totearitfromthetorch，toreplaceitbythebarrelofpowder，tothrustthepileofstonesunderthebarrel，whichwasinstantlystavedin，withasortofhorribleobedience，——allthishadcostMariusbutthetimenecessarytostoopandriseagain；andnowall，NationalGuards，MunicipalGuards，officers，soldiers，huddledattheotherextremityofthebarricade，gazedstupidlyathim，ashestoodwithhisfootonthestones，historchinhishand，hishaughtyfaceilluminatedbyafatalresolution，droopingtheflameofthetorchtowardsthatredoubtablepilewheretheycouldmakeoutthebrokenbarrelofpowder，andgivingventtothatstartlingcry:——
"Beoffwithyou，orI’llblowupthebarricade！"
Mariusonthatbarricadeaftertheoctogenarianwasthevisionoftheyoungrevolutionaftertheapparitionoftheold。
"Blowupthebarricade！"saidasergeant，"andyourselfwithit！"
Mariusretorted:"Andmyselfalso。"
Andhedroppedthetorchtowardsthebarrelofpowder。
Buttherewasnolongeranyoneonthebarrier。Theassailants，abandoningtheirdeadandwounded，flowedbackpell—mellandindisordertowardstheextremityofthestreet，andtherewereagainlostinthenight。Itwasaheadlongflight。
Thebarricadewasfree。
CHAPTERV
ENDOFTHEVERSESOFJEANPROUVAIRE
AllflockedaroundMarius。Courfeyracflunghimselfonhisneck。
"Hereyouare！"
"Whatluck！"saidCombeferre。
"Youcameinopportunely！"ejaculatedBossuet。
"Ifithadnotbeenforyou，Ishouldhavebeendead！"
beganCourfeyracagain。
"Ifithadnotbeenforyou，Ishouldhavebeengobbledup！"
addedGavroche。
Mariusasked:——
"Whereisthechief？"
"Youarehe！"saidEnjolras。
Mariushadhadafurnaceinhisbrainalldaylong；nowitwasawhirlwind。Thiswhirlwindwhichwaswithinhim，producedonhimtheeffectofbeingoutsideofhimandofbearinghimaway。
Itseemedtohimthathewasalreadyatanimmensedistancefromlife。
Histwoluminousmonthsofjoyandlove，endingabruptlyatthatfrightfulprecipice，Cosettelosttohim，thatbarricade，M。MabeufgettinghimselfkilledfortheRepublic，himselftheleaderoftheinsurgents，——
allthesethingsappearedtohimlikeatremendousnightmare。
Hewasobligedtomakeamentalefforttorecallthefactthatallthatsurroundedhimwasreal。Mariushadalreadyseentoomuchoflifenottoknowthatnothingismoreimminentthantheimpossible，andthatwhatitisalwaysnecessarytoforeseeistheunforeseen。Hehadlookedonathisowndramaasapiecewhichonedoesnotunderstand。
Inthemistswhichenvelopedhisthoughts，hedidnotrecognizeJavert，who，boundtohispost，hadnotsomuchasmovedhisheadduringthewholeoftheattackonthebarricade，andwhohadgazedontherevoltseethingaroundhimwiththeresignationofamartyrandthemajestyofajudge。Mariushadnotevenseenhim。
Inthemeanwhile，theassailantsdidnotstir，theycouldbeheardmarchingandswarmingthroughattheendofthestreetbuttheydidnotventureintoit，eitherbecausetheywereawaitingordersorbecausetheywereawaitingreinforcementsbeforehurlingthemselvesafreshonthisimpregnableredoubt。Theinsurgentshadpostedsentinels，andsomeofthem，whoweremedicalstudents，setaboutcaringforthewounded。
Theyhadthrownthetablesoutofthewine—shop，withtheexceptionofthetwotablesreservedforlintandcartridges，andoftheoneonwhichlayFatherMabeuf；theyhadaddedthemtothebarricade，andhadreplacedtheminthetap—roomwithmattressesfromthebedofthewidowHucheloupandherservants。Onthesemattressestheyhadlaidthewounded。AsforthethreepoorcreatureswhoinhabitedCorinthe，nooneknewwhathadbecomeofthem。
Theywerefinallyfound，however，hiddeninthecellar。